13th JULY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has emerged as the India’s best-performing container port in the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025.

It is jointly published by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Port of Fuzhou in China claimed the 1st rank globally.

It was followed by the Port of Dalian in China (2nd) and Salalah Port in Oman (3rd).

This time JNPA has improved the its global ranking to 22nd position and reaffirmed the leadership in the container handling efficiency.

Rank of India ports in CPPI

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA): 22nd globally (India Rank: 1)

Pipavav Port: 28th globally (India Rank: 2, top private port)

Mundra Port: 30th globally (India Rank: 3)

Hazira Port: 68th globally

Kattupalli Port: 71st globally

Kandla Port: 82nd globally

Kamarajar Port: 85th globally

Visakhapatnam Port: 104th globally

Cochin Port: 107th globally

Results can be influenced by external factors beyond the control of port authorities, such as global supply chain disruptions, shipping route changes, weather events, or geopolitical developments

2India's Rank in Global Peace Index

Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an independent and non-partisan think tank, publishes the Global Peace Index.

Now in its 20th edition, the index ranks 163 independent states and territories, covering 99.7% of the world's population. To do so, it uses 23 "qualitative and quantitative indicators"

Three key areas: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarization.

The lower the final score, the more peaceful the country.

Overall, low crime rates, strong social cohesion, and stunning natural landscapes determine the Global Peace Index ranking.

Iceland ranked first in the ranking for the 19th consecutive year, followed by New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Ireland. Austria, Portugal, Singapore, Finland, and Japan complete the top 10.

India ranks 127th out of 163 countries

The leader received a score of 1.161, placing well ahead of second-ranked New Zealand, which scored 1.343, while its level of peace even increased by 2% over the past year.

Iceland's ranking in safety and security also improved by 4%, while its militarization ranking improved (albeit slightly) by 0.3%.

According to the report, "Iceland's exceptional position is based on the absence of a standing army, very low crime rates, and strong social cohesion."

3Centre Releases Draft Telecommunication Rules 2026 for Public Consultation

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has released the draft Telecommunication Rules, 2026, pertaining to television, radio, and related services, for public consultation.

The draft rules have been framed to consolidate various guidelines issued for television and radio services under the previous Telegraph Act, 1885, within the framework of the newly enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023.

The Ministry said these rules are designed to simplify and harmonise the existing regime while promoting ease of doing business in the television and radio broadcasting sector.

At present, different broadcasting services such as DTH, FM Radio, Community Radio, IPTV, HITS, and satellite television channels are governed by separate policy guidelines issued at different times

The draft rules propose a single regulatory framework in place of multiple existing guidelines.

It also removes the requirement for signing the Grant of Permission Agreement and provides for a transparent adjudication mechanism.

These draft rules have been published on the website of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the public can submit their comments and suggestions on the draft till 27th July.

Significance of the Draft Rules

Ease of Doing Business: The rules simplify regulatory procedures and reduce compliance burdens for broadcasters.

Digital Governance: Digital authorisation processes align with the government’s broader objective of improving digital governance.

Broadcasting Sector Growth: A simplified and modern regulatory ecosystem can encourage investment and innovation.

4SOLAR‑1 Satellite

The United States has launched SOLAR‑1, its first satellite exclusively for space weather monitoring, to provide faster warnings of solar storms that threaten GPS, communications, satellites, and power grids.

First Dedicated Satellite: Designed solely for continuous operational observation of solar activity.

Operato:Managed by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Renaming: Originally called SWFO‑L1, later renamed Space Weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness – 1 (SOLAR‑1).

Launch Details: Launched on 24 September 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Orbit: Positioned at Sun‑Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), ~1.6 million km from Earth, offering uninterrupted solar monitoring.

Mission Features

Continuous Monitoring: Tracks solar wind and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) before they reach Earth.

Compact Coronagraph: Special telescope to observe solar corona and eruptions.

Rapid Transmission: Sends CME images to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center within 30 minutes (older systems took up to 8 hours).

Gravitational Stability: L1 location allows minimal fuel use for station‑keeping.

Significance & Impact

Aurora Forecasts: Improves prediction of auroras and geomagnetic storms.

Infrastructure Protection: Strengthens defense of power grids, navigation systems, and communication networks.